as in urgent
needing immediate attention
she had pressing business on the other side of town
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in seizing
to take or make use of under a guise of authority but without actual right
the fleeing bank robber pressed a nearby taxi into service as a getaway car
Synonyms & Similar Words
1
as in shoving
to push steadily against with some force
an old doorbell that requires you to press the button hard
Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in squeezing
to apply external pressure on so as to force out the juice or contents of
my family will only drink juice from freshly pressed oranges
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in huddling
to gather into a closely packed group
everyone pressed around me to see the pictures
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
5
as in forcing
to cause (a person) to give in to pressure
a manager pressed by a business crisis to return from his vacation ahead of schedule
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
6
as in urging
to try to persuade (someone) through earnest appeals to follow a course of action
pressed us to go with them to the school board meeting
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
7
as in highlighting
to indicate the importance of by centering attention on
an office e-mail that presses the need for greater vigilance concerning building security
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of pressing
Michelle Kaufman, Miami Herald, 14 Jan. 2025
Although the most pressing concern is protecting our lungs from smoke and ash, wildfires can also affect and irritate our sinuses, skin and eyes.
—Jackie Snow, Los Angeles Times, 11 Jan. 2025
Tom Quirk, Baltimore Sun, 23 Dec. 2024
Despite this pressing need, explainability remains elusive due to the slow adoption of comprehensive AI governance frameworks.
—Mrinal Manohar, Forbes, 23 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for pressing 
Adjective
His most pressing concern is getting a few reinforcements signed and in camp in the coming days to replace the six players who left.
—Michelle Kaufman, Miami Herald, 14 Jan. 2025
Although the most pressing concern is protecting our lungs from smoke and ash, wildfires can also affect and irritate our sinuses, skin and eyes.
—Jackie Snow, Los Angeles Times, 11 Jan. 2025
Verb
Major capital projects like the new Dulaney and Towson High Schools, roads, libraries, police and fire stations and many other capital needs are pressing.
—Tom Quirk, Baltimore Sun, 23 Dec. 2024
Despite this pressing need, explainability remains elusive due to the slow adoption of comprehensive AI governance frameworks.
—Mrinal Manohar, Forbes, 23 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for pressing
Thesaurus Entries Near pressing
Cite this Entry
“Pressing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pressing. Accessed 31 Jan. 2025.
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